Happiness Coexists with Grief

“There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is only the comparison of one state with another. Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss. It is necessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live…..the sum of all human wisdom will be contained in these two words: Wait and Hope.”
― Alexandre Dumas, “The Count of Monte Cristo”

“The Count of Monte Cristo” is one of my favorite books of all time.Not only does Alexandre Dumas weave a fascinating story of revenge, he peppers his book with striking quotes. My favorite quote from the book is the one above. What is happiness? Happiness is a state of mind that is unique from individual to individual. If you have suffered the bleakest, darkest situation, you will be able to appreciate the wonder of the ray of sunshine signifying happiness. Even if you are suffering right now, don’t worry. Every moment of happiness with taste just as sweeter, for you have endured pain to compare it with.

“When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever.”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

Whenever you find yourself dreaming of what could’ve been during a depressing situation, stop yourself. It won’t help your situation at all; you’re only going to get more depressed. You should try your best to climb your way out of the situation and/or look to the future with hope. I know this is not easy; I’ve had plenty of trouble not being able to stop regretting and wistfully imagining. Now I try to look up at the sky and smile as I feel the warm rays of the sun on my face – it’s the little things in the present you have to be able to appreciate.